Floyd Mayweather has insisted that he’s not bothered by Conor McGregor’s “dance for me, boy” comment at Tuesday evening’s press conference.
But, by the same token, the 49-0 boxing great has suggested that the remark is proof that racism remains prevalent in today’s society.
McGregor came in for plenty of flak on social media for ordering ‘Money’ to dance in the opening press conference of a four-city promotional world tour and Mayweather discussed the incident during an interview with TMZÂ after the event.
“Racism still exists but you know, I try to take something negative and turn it into something positive,” Mayweather said.
“A lot of people say that Conor McGregor is racist but I’m not worried about that.”
Not put off by how comment was received, McGregor doubled down and referred to his upcoming opponent as “boy” for the second time in as many evenings when they went back and forth in Toronto on Wednesday.
Conor McGregor tells Mayweather "Dance for me boy" for second day in a row despite backlash pic.twitter.com/ZNvDanILZA
— Gifdsports (@gifdsports) July 12, 2017
In 2014, ‘The Notorious’ was forced to delete a tweet in which he referred to German UFC fighter Dennis Siver as a “nazi” so this is not the first time that accusations of racism have been made against the Irishman.
“It is what it is. He’s entitled to feel how he wants to feel,” Mayweather added.
“I just want to stay in my zone and stay focused.”